5 New Year’s Movies to Watch Before We Bid Goodbye to 2024

It's almost that time again when we bid goodbye to the current year and say hello to a new one with a list of New Year’s resolutions, we promise we’ll keep this time around. But, before we step into the new year with a promise of lesser screen time, let’s indulge first, get cozy, pop that pocket of popcorn and ring in the new year with these movies.   

Okay, it might not be a good idea to start this list with this not-so-stellar movie, but hey, you can’t start a list of New Year’s movies without New Year’s Eve as the first one. This romantic comedy film, you guessed it, is about the intertwined stories of people experiencing various problems and having epiphanies on New Year’s Eve. Even if it did not receive favorable reviews from fans and movie critics, the film was a commercial success and boasts of an ensemble cast from Robert De Niro to Jon Bon Jovi.   

What's more romantic than sharing a first kiss during New Year’s Eve? Carol follows the story of a forbidden love affair set in the 1950s between a female photographer, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) and an older woman, Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett) going through a divorce. Mara and Blanchett’s chemistry is absolutely electric, making this the perfect movie to watch on New Year’s Eve if you’re looking to believe in love all over again despite the odds.  

If you want to watch a movie wherein a heroine doesn’t follow through with her resolutions but still ends up with two gorgeous men pining for her attention, watch Renee Zellweger’s absolutely delightful Bridget Jones Diary. The film follows Zellweger’s character, Bridget Jones, as she tries to improve herself with her resolutions like losing weight and drinking less (sounds familiar?) and her quest to find love. It’s rom-com at its finest.  

While You Were Sleeping is about Sandra Bullock’s character, Lucy, a lonely and alone transportation worker, who gets mistaken for the fiancée of Peter Gallagher’s character (also named Peter), after he ends up in a coma and can’t correct the assumption. It seems like good fortune for Lucy since Peter's entire family adores her and eagerly welcomes her into the fold. However, she ends up falling for Jack Callaghan, Peter’s brother, played by the charming Bill Pullman. Trust us, they don’t make romantic comedies like this anymore—especially the unforgettable confession scene, and the moment toward the end when Jack drops something in Lucy’s token booth.  

If you could go back in time and change something, what would you change? For Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson), it was a botched New Year’s Eve kiss. About Time follows Tim and all the male members of his family, who can travel back in time. It’s a sweet movie about being content with the life we have, enjoying it while it lasts, and living each day to the fullest—just ignore the plot holes about time travel.  

So, there you have it, five New Year's movies to help you reflect on the past year and welcome 2025. Grab your snacks, your loved ones and who you hope to share a midnight kiss with, it’s time to say goodbye to 2024, cinematic style. Happy watching and happy new year!